Holding apparatus for a heating device, and heating device having such a holding apparatus

ABSTRACT

A holding apparatus for a heating device, which is provided to accommodate a control unit. The holding apparatus has a receptacle for a module for expanding the control unit. A heating device that has such a holding apparatus is also described.

CROSS REFERENCE

The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of German Patent Application No. DE 102017221534.8 filed on Nov. 30, 2017, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The present invention relates to a holding apparatus for a heating device, which is provided to accommodate a control unit. The present invention also relates to a heating device having such a holding apparatus.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

German Patent Application No. DE 10 2014 222 758 A1 describes a device for controlling and/or regulating a heating or household device in a heating or home installation, which has an operating device and a control panel; the heating or household device has a housing including a flap, the flap accommodating a control for the heating or household device and making it accessible from the outside. The flap is meant to separate the operating device from the control panel.

SUMMARY

An example embodiment of the present invention may have the advantage that the holding apparatus has a receptacle for a module for expanding the control unit so that the control unit is able to be expanded in a flexible manner.

The features described herein allow for advantageous further developments of the present invention. For example, the holding apparatus has a receiving part on which a cover is fixed in place. The cover has the receptacle for the module for expanding the control unit, which therefore allows for a flexible expansion of the control unit using differently developed modules, depending on the development of the cover.

It is advantageous if the holding apparatus has a locking device for the module for expanding the control unit, in particular in and/or on the receptacle for the module for expanding the control unit, by which the module for expanding the control unit is able to be fixed in place.

It is also advantageous if the holding apparatus, in particular the locking device, has at least one locking element and/or one receptacle for a locking element, which allows for a simplified development of the locking device.

It is particularly advantageous if the locking element is developed in a U-shape and/or if the receptacle for the locking element is developed to correspond to a U-shaped locking element so that the mounting of the locking device is made especially easy.

It is also advantageous if the locking element is disposed so as to be movable, preferably rotatable, from a first to a second position, in particular in the receptacle for the locking element, thereby allowing for easy handling of the locking device.

Moreover, it is advantageous if the holding apparatus, in particular the locking device, includes a detent element, which is provided to fixate the module for expanding the control unit so that an efficient fixation of the module for expanding the control unit is able to be achieved.

It is particularly advantageous if the detent element is developed between the receptacle for the module for expanding the control unit and the receptacle for the locking element, so that the locking device is able to directly act on the module for expanding the control unit.

It is especially preferred if the locking element is able to block the detent element in a direction of movement so that an especially efficient locking is able to take place.

It is advantageous if the module for expanding the control unit is introduced into the receptacle for the module for expanding the control unit and in particular is secured in the receptacle for the module for expanding the control unit by the locking device. The module for expanding the control unit may have a particularly stable hold in this way.

It is especially advantageous if the module for expanding the control unit has a recess that is provided to cooperate with the locking device, in particular with the detent element, which additionally improves the fixation of the module.

The present invention also relates to a heating device which includes a holding apparatus as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown in the figures in a variety of ways and is described in greater detail below.

FIG. 1 shows an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a part of a heating device, together with a holding apparatus for the accommodation of a control unit.

FIG. 2 shows an illustration of the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 1 with a holding apparatus that is partially flipped open.

FIG. 3 shows an illustration of the exemplary embodiment from the preceding figures with a holding apparatus that is fully flipped open.

FIG. 4 shows an illustration of the exemplary embodiment from the preceding figures with a holding apparatus completely flipped open and a cover that is flipped open.

FIG. 5 shows an illustration of the exemplary embodiment from the preceding figures with the holding apparatus removed.

FIG. 6 shows an illustration of a holding device according to the preceding figures with a module for expanding the control unit.

FIG. 7 shows a further illustration of the holding apparatus according to the preceding figures with an introduced module for expanding the control unit.

FIG. 8 shows a further illustration of the holding apparatus according to the preceding figures with an introduced module for expanding the control unit.

FIG. 9 shows a further illustration of the holding apparatus according to the preceding figures with a locking element outside its provided receptacle.

FIG. 10 shows a sectional view of the locking device of the holding apparatus according to the preceding figures.

FIG. 11 shows an illustration of a locking element for a locking device of the holding apparatus according to the preceding figures.

FIG. 12 shows a further illustration of the locking element from FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 shows a further illustration of the locking element from FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 14 shows a further illustration of the locking element from FIGS. 10 through 12.

FIG. 15 shows a further sectional view of the locking device of the holding apparatus according to FIGS. 1 through 10.

FIG. 16 shows a further sectional view of locking device 46 of holding apparatus 14 according to FIGS. 1 through 10.

FIG. 17 shows a sectional view of locking device 46 of holding apparatus 14 according to FIGS. 1 through 10 with an inserted module 10 for expanding control unit 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a part 10 of a heating device; in the illustrated case, this is a housing structure 12 of the heating device, which has a holding apparatus 14 for the accommodation of a control unit 22 or a housing 17 of a control unit 22. Holding apparatus 14 accommodates control unit 22, or housing 17 of control unit 22, in the illustrated case, while control unit 22, or housing 17 of control unit 22, accommodates an operating unit 23, which is able to be operated by a user. Housing structure 12 includes a wind box 16 and two structural elements 18.

Holding apparatus 14 has a receiving part 24. Control unit 22 or housing 17 of control unit 22 is introduced into receiving part 24. In the illustrated case, receiving part 24 has two struts 26, and a receptacle 28 for control unit 22 is developed between the at least two struts 26. Struts 26 allow for a particularly stable development of holding apparatus 14 and for its stable mounting on housing structure 12.

Holding apparatus 14 for accommodating control unit 22 is fixed in place on the heating device or on housing structure 12 of the heating device in a pivotable or flippable manner. In the illustrated case, holding apparatus 14 is in a closed position. It is fixed in place in a lower region 19 of structural elements 18 and in an upper region 21 of structural elements 18.

Accordingly, FIG. 2 shows an illustration of the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 1 with a holding apparatus 14 that is partially flipped open. Holding apparatus 14 is disposed so that it is able to be opened toward the front, or away from the heating device or from housing structure 12 of the heating device.

It can also be seen that structural elements 18 are developed in the form of a C. The holding apparatus is mounted on structural elements 18 in a pivotable or flippable manner via a thrust bearing 20 (see also FIG. 5) in lower region 19 of structural elements 18.

Accordingly, FIG. 3 shows an illustration of the exemplary embodiment from the previous figures with a completely flipped open holding apparatus 14. Holding apparatus 14 is able to be flipped open up to the point where it is stopped by projections 30 on structural elements 18 or until struts 26 strike projections 30 and a further opening is prevented.

If holding apparatus 14 is in a closed position, then this corresponds to an angle of 0°. If holding apparatus 14 is completely flipped open, this corresponds to an angle of 84° in the exemplary embodiment, starting from the closed position of holding apparatus 14.

Moreover, it is shown in FIG. 3 that a cover 32 is fixed in place on receiving part 24. Cover 32 is provided to protect electrical connections or electrical components from a fluid, especially from spray water. This allows a technician to carry out service or repair work on the heating device but a short-circuit caused by spray water is able to be prevented.

Accordingly, FIG. 4 shows an illustration of the exemplary embodiment from the preceding figures with a completely flipped open holding apparatus 14 and a flipped open cover 32. Cover 32 is fixed in place on receiving part 24 in a region 34 that is at a distance from receptacle 28 for control unit 22. This allows cover 24 to be pivoted in such a way that it is able to form an opening area in a region 35 that is close to receptacle 28 for control unit 22, i.e., toward the front in the illustrated case. The cover is developed in the form of a flap 36.

In the illustrated case, with holding apparatus 14 flipped open, cover 32 or flap 36 is mounted so that it can be pivoted or flipped in the direction of the heating device or housing structure 12, thereby making it possible to improve the accessibility in the course of installation or service work. When holding apparatus 14 and cover 32 are flipped open, as shown in FIG. 4, a technician has access to electrical connections of control unit 22 from the front and is able to carry out required wiring at that location or inspect it there.

Holding apparatus 14 is mounted on housing structure 12 so that it is able to be removed or also exchanged. Accordingly, FIG. 5 shows an illustration of the exemplary embodiment from the previous figures in which holding apparatus 14 has been removed. Due to a clamping connection on the part of housing structure 12 with thrust bearing 20 of holding apparatus 14, holding apparatus 14 is able to be removed at all angles in the illustrated case. However, it would alternatively also be conceivable that holding apparatus 14 is removable at a certain angle such as 45°, e.g., with the aid of a form-fitting connection.

FIG. 6 shows an illustration of holding apparatus 14 according to the preceding figures with a module for expanding control unit 22. To simplify the illustration, holding apparatus 14 is shown without control unit 22. It can be seen that holding apparatus 12 has a receptacle 38 for a module 40 for expanding control unit 22, which therefore allows for a flexible expansion of control unit 22.

It is possible to expand control unit 22 with the aid of module 40 both in terms of hardware and software. In the illustrated case, module 40 is an interface module 42, which allows for a wireless communication with control unit 22. Module 40, or interface module 42, may therefore also be understood as a communications interface 44. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to expand control unit 22 through further functions, e.g. time-setting programs for a more efficient operation of the heating device, with the aid of the module.

In the illustrated case, cover 32, or flap 36, includes receptacle 38 for module 40 for expanding control unit 22. Illustrated module 40 may be introduced into provided receptacle 38. Accordingly, FIG. 7 shows a further view of holding apparatus 14 according to the preceding figures together with an introduced module 40 for expanding control unit 22.

Different modules 40 having different functions for expanding control unit 22 are able to be introduced into provided receptacle 38 of illustrated cover 32. It is additionally also possible to exchange cover 32 for a cover of a different design so that differently developed modules for expanding control unit 22 are able to be introduced.

Moreover, holding apparatus 14 has a locking device 46 for module 40 for expanding control unit 22, i.e. on receptacle 38 for module 40 for expanding control unit 22 in the illustrated case. This makes it possible to fix module 40 in place in provided receptacle 38, which thus provides a stable support of module 40.

In the illustrated case, locking device 46 includes a locking element 48, which is able to be operated in order to fixate module 40 in provided receptacle 38.

Accordingly, FIG. 8 shows a further view of holding apparatus 14 according to the preceding figures with an introduced module 40 for expanding control unit 22. Locking element 48 is disposed so that it is movable, or rotatable in the illustrated case. Locking element 48 is able to be moved from a first position to a second position, thereby fixating module 40 in provided receptacle 38.

While locking element 48 in FIG. 7 is in the first position, which corresponds to an open state for the accommodation of module 40, locking element 48 in FIG. 8 is in the second position, which corresponds to a closed state for the accommodation of module 40.

When locking device 46 is in an open state, or locking element 48 is in the first position according to FIG. 7, module 40 is able to be introduced into provided receptacle 38 or if it is already inserted in provided receptacle 38, it may be removed again.

When locking device 46 is in a closed state, or when locking element 48 is in the second position according to FIG. 8, module 40 is unable to be inserted into provided receptacle 38, or if it is already inserted in provided receptacle 38, it cannot be taken out again.

As a result, locking device 46 provides a reliable mechanism that allows a stable fixation of module 40 in provided receptacle 38 and uncomplicated handling.

In the illustrated case, locking element 48 is introduced into a provided receptacle 50. In order to show this clearly, a further view of holding apparatus 14 according to the preceding figures is shown in FIG. 9 together with a locking element 48 that is shown outside receptacle 50 provided for locking element 48. Accordingly, locking device 46 is developed in two parts.

Receptacle 50 for locking element 48 is developed on receptacle 38 for module 40 in the illustrated case and is designed to correspond to locking element 48. It includes a wall 52 on which locking element 48 is placed.

Conversely, locking element 48 is also developed to correspond to receptacle 50 provided for this purpose. When locking element 48 is in place, then it encloses wall 52 and is thereby firmly held in position.

Accordingly, FIG. 10 shows a sectional view of locking device 46 of holding apparatus 14 according to the preceding figures. The section was made in a y-z plane according to FIG. 9, along the externally visible side of wall 52; in the illustrated case, locking element 48 is placed on wall 52, or is located in receptacle 50 provided for this purpose.

It can be seen that wall 52 has an opening 60. Furthermore, it can be seen that wall 52 has a first recess 62 and a second recess 63.

In the illustrated case, locking device 46 is in a closed state. As a result, locking element 48—according to FIG. 8—is in the second position.

FIGS. 11 through 14 show different perspective views of locking element 48. It is clear that locking element 48 is developed in a U-shape. Locking element 48 therefore has a first leg 66 and a second leg 67, which extend from a body 68.

Locking element 48 has such a flexible design that legs 66, 67 spread when introduced into provided receptacle 50 or when locking element 48 is placed on wall 52, which makes it relatively easy to introduce locking element 48 into corresponding receptacle 50.

In addition, locking element 48 has a thrust bearing 58, i.e. on the inner side of first leg 66 in the illustrated case. It is provided for the introduction into opening 60 (see also FIG. 10) of wall 52 and for allowing a rotary motion of locking element 48. Accordingly, thrust bearing 58 of locking element 48 is developed to correspond to opening 60 of wall 52.

Moreover, locking element 48 has a cam 64, i.e. on the inner side of first leg 66 in the illustrated case. Depending on the position of locking element 48, it is provided to snap into place in first recess 62 or second recess 63 (see also FIG. 10) of wall 52 in order to allow for a fixed positioning of the locking element in the first and second position. Cam 64 is therefore developed to correspond to recesses 62 of wall 52.

If locking element 48 is in the first position, which corresponds to an open state of locking device 46, cam 64 of locking element 48 is snapped into place in first recess 62. If locking element 48 is in the second position, which corresponds to a closed state of locking device 46, cam 64 of locking element 48—as shown in FIG. 10—is snapped into place in second recess 63. Because of the flexibility of locking element 48, first leg 66 of locking device 46, in turn, is able to bend outwardly starting from wall 52, so that cam 64 is capable of moving out of respective recesses 62, 63 when locking element 48 is operated. This makes it easy to switch locking element 48 between the first and the second position.

As already mentioned, locking element 48 has such a flexible design that legs 66, 67 spread when placed on wall 52, which simplifies the introduction of locking element 48 into provided receptacle 50. In addition, the introduction of locking element 48 into provided receptacle 50 is made easier with the aid of insertion bevels 70. In the illustrated case, these insertion bevels are developed on thrust bearing 58, on cam 64, and on legs 66, 67 of locking element 48 and also on wall 52 of receptacle 50 for locking element 48.

In addition, locking element 48 has a lever 54 for its operation. Moreover, locking element 48 has structural markings 56, which specify the directions of movement to the first or the second position of locking element 48, i.e. to the closed or open state of locking device 46.

Furthermore, locking element 48 has a third recess 72. Third recess 72 is developed on the outer side of second leg 67 of locking element 48. In addition, locking element 48 has a projection 74. Projection 74 is also developed on the outer side of second leg 67 of locking element 48. Third recess 72 and projection 74 of locking element 48 are developed adjacent to each other.

FIG. 15 shows a further sectional view of locking device 46 of holding apparatus 14 according to FIGS. 1 through 10. The section was drawn in an x-z plane according to FIG. 9, through thrust bearing 58 of locking element 48, locking element 48 being situated on wall 52 in the illustrated case or being located in provided receptacle 50.

It can be seen that holding apparatus 14, i.e. locking device 46 in the illustrated case, has a detent element 76. The detent element is provided to fixate module 40 for the expansion of control unit 22 in provided receptacle 38, which makes it possible to achieve a particularly satisfactory fixation of module 40.

Detent element 76 is developed between receptacle 38 for module 40 and receptacle 50 for locking element 48. In the illustrated case, detent element 76 is developed across from wall 52. Since locking element 48 is placed on wall 52 in the illustrated case, the detent element is also developed across from third recess 72.

In the illustrated case, detent element 76 is a spring tab 78. Detent element 76, or spring tab 78, may also be understood as a snap-in hook 80. Detent element 76 has a cam 82 of its own.

In the illustrated case, locking device 46 is in an open state, i.e., locking element 48 is in the first position. In the first position of locking element 48, third recess 72 extends in a manner that corresponds to the extension of opposite detent element 76, or opposite spring tab 48, so that sufficient room is available for detent element 76 or spring tab 78 to move or bend in the direction of receptacle 38 for locking element 48, or to move or bend away from receptacle 38 for module 40.

In this case, detent element 76 therefore allows for the insertion of module 40 due to its movement or bending in the direction of receptacle 38 for locking element 48, or its movement away from receptacle 38 for module 40. In the same way, due to its movement or bending in the direction of receptacle 38 for locking element 48, or its movement or bending away from receptacle 38 for module 40, detent element 76 allows for the removal of the module in this case.

In addition, it can be seen in FIG. 15 that a protective cover 81 is developed in receptacle 38 provided for module 40, which is meant to protect receptacle 38 from dirt, e.g., dust, when module 40 is not inserted. In the illustrated case, protective cover 81 is disposed in such a way that it is removable. However, it would alternatively also be conceivable to position protective cover 81 in the receptacle in a hinge-type fashion, so that it flips open when module 40 is inserted, thereby allowing module 40 to be slipped in.

FIG. 16 shows a further sectional view of locking device 46 of holding apparatus 14 according to FIGS. 1 through 10. As also already in FIG. 15, the section was drawn in an x-z plane according to FIG. 9, through axial bearing 58 of locking element 48; in the illustrated case, locking element 48 is situated on wall 52, i.e., is located in receptacle 50 provided for this purpose.

In contrast to the scenario illustrated in FIG. 15, locking device 46 is in a closed state, i.e. locking element 48 is in the second position in the case illustrated in FIG. 16. In this instance, recesses 72 of locking element 48 extend obliquely to the extension of opposite detent element 76. As a result, there is no room for detent element 76, or spring tab 78, to move or bend in the direction of receptacle 38 for locking element 48, or to move or bend away from receptacle 38 for module 40, so that detent element 76 is blocked by locking element 48.

In the illustrated case, projection 74 of locking element 48 even shifts or bends detent element 76 away from receptacle 50 for locking element 48 or shifts or bends it in the direction of receptacle 38 of module 40.

Detent element 76 thereby prevents the insertion of module 40, i.e., because of the blocking by locking element 48 in the case illustrated in FIG. 16. In the same way, detent element 76 prevents the removal of a module 40 that is already situated inside provided receptacle 38, in this case due to the blocking by locking element 48.

FIG. 17 shows a sectional view of locking device 46 of holding apparatus 14 according to FIGS. 1 through 10 with an inserted module 10; only a housing 84 of module 10 for expanding control unit 22 is shown in the illustrated case in order to simplify the illustration. As also already in FIGS. 15 and 16, the section was drawn in an x-z plane according to FIG. 9, through thrust bearing 58 of locking element 48; locking element 48 is situated on wall 52 in the illustrated case or is situated in receptacle 50 provided for this purpose.

It can be seen that module 40, or housing 84 of module 40, has a recess 86 of its own. Recess 86 of module 40 is provided to cooperate with locking device 46, i.e., with detent element 76 in the illustrated case.

Module 40, or housing 84 of module 40, is fully inserted into provided receptacle 38 in the illustrated case. Locking device 46 is in a closed state in the case shown, i.e., locking element 48 is in the second position, so that detent element 76, as previously mentioned, is blocked by locking element 48. Detent element 76 has snapped into place in a form-locked manner with cam 82 in recess 86 of module 40. Thus, module 40 is held or fixed in place in receptacle 38 for module 40 in a form-locked manner with the aid of detent element 76.

However, it would alternatively also be possible that module 40, or housing 84 or module 40, does not have a recess 86. It would also be possible that module 40 is retained in receptacle 38 for module 40 with force locking or is fixed in place there with the aid of detent element 76.

In the event that module 40 for expanding control unit 22 is fully inserted into provided receptacle 38, it is electrically and electronically connected to control unit 22. Module 40 includes electrical contacts 88 (see also FIG. 6) for this purpose, which are in contact with further electrical contacts 90 provided in receptacle 38 for module 40 (see FIG. 17). The contacts in the receptacle for module 40 are in turn electronically and electrically connected to control unit 22 (not shown), thereby establishing a connection between module 40 and control unit 22.

Since only housing 84 of module 40 is shown in FIG. 17 in order to simplify the illustration, electrical contacts 88 of module 40 are not shown either. As a result, only further electrical contacts 90 situated in receptacle 38 for module 40 are depicted. However, as discussed above, electrical contacts 88 of module 40 are able to be seen in FIG. 6. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A holding apparatus for a heating device, the holding apparatus provided to accommodate a control unit, wherein the holding apparatus has a receptacle for a module for expanding the control unit.
 2. The holding apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the holding apparatus has a receiving part on which a cover is fixed in place, the cover having the receptacle for the module for expanding the control unit.
 3. The holding apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the holding apparatus has a locking device for the module for expanding the control unit, the locking device being at least one of in and on the receptacle for the module for expanding the control unit.
 4. The holding apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the locking device has at least one of: (i) at least one locking element, and (ii) a receptacle for a locking element.
 5. The holding apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein at least one of: (i) the locking element is developed in a U-shape, and (ii) the receptacle for the locking element is developed to correspond to a U-shaped locking element.
 6. The holding apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the locking device has the at least one locking element, the locking element being disposed so as to be rotatable from a first to a second position, in the receptacle for the locking element.
 7. The holding apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein the locking device has a detent element which is provided to fixate the module for expanding the control unit.
 8. The holding apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the detent element is developed between the receptacle for the module for expanding the control unit and the receptacle for the locking element.
 9. The holding apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the locking element is able to block the detent element in a direction of movement.
 10. The holding apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the module for expanding the control unit is introduced into the receptacle for the module for expanding the control unit, and is fixed in place by the locking device in the receptacle for the module for expanding the control unit.
 11. The holding apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein the module for expanding the control unit has a recess, which is provided to cooperate with the locking device.
 12. A heating device, having a holding apparatus, the holding apparatus provided to accommodate a control unit, wherein the holding apparatus has a receptacle for a module for expanding the control unit. 